Former Music Trade Group Execs Launch Piracy Consulting Firm

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 2, 2006 - 7:22am.

Washington - Two former heads of music industry trade groups the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) on Thursday announced the launch of a consulting group, which will advise companies on piracy and licensing issues. Former RIAA head Hillary Rosen, who gained notoriety during the industry's efforts to shut down the free Napster file-sharing service, and former IFPI head Jay Berman have teamed with economist Barry Massarsky to form Berman/Rosen Global Strategies. "Over the years we each have advised a number of analysts on factors relating to piracy in the entertainment business," said Rosen. "One thing was always missing -- the ability to place a valuation on the costs of piracy on the multiples expected from any financial investment." The company said it will not officially lobby on behalf of clients, but can advise them on public policy issues. "Digital delivery and acquisition of entertainment is changing with lightening speed and so is the need to protect and promote the creative expressions that provide this entertainment," said Berman.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=60368
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